RALEIGH–North Carolina’s persistently high fetal and infant mortality rates require new strategies to make further progress ensuring successful pregnancies and healthy births, according to a new report from NC Child. To improve birth outcomes, policymakers should close the health insurance coverage gap to promote maternal health pre- and post-conception.

“By utilizing available federal funding to expand access to affordable health care for women of childbearing age, the state can influence both fetal and infant mortality simultaneously, effectively doubling the positive impact for North Carolina families,” said Whitney Tucker, research director at NC Child.

NC Child published a report in 2016 that examines the link between infant mortality and closing the health insurance coverage gap; this report builds on that report and includes lesser-known data about fetal mortality, which is defined as the death of a fetus occurring at 20 or more weeks of gestation. Between 2006 and 2012, nearly as many fetal deaths (818) as infant deaths (873) occurred in North Carolina.

In North Carolina from 2012–2016, the annual fetal mortality rate was 6.9 per 1,000 live births (plus fetal deaths) and the infant mortality rate was 7.2 per 1,000 live births.

Poor birth outcomes are often tied to maternal health challenges pre- and post-conception, such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and smoking. These chronic conditions and risk factors can be addressed most effectively when women have access to health insurance. Unfortunately, 20 percent of North Carolina women of childbearing age lacked health insurance in 2016.

More than 20 percent of all women of reproductive age in North Carolina earn too little (<100% FPL) to access subsidized coverage in the Marketplace, and only a small percentage qualify for Medicaid. Using available federal funding as allowed by the Affordable Care Act to expand health care coverage to all adults under 133 percent of the Federal Poverty Line (FPL) would significantly reduce the number of uninsured women of childbearing age and improve their pre- and post-conception health, thereby promoting healthy births.

“Carolina Cares” is a bipartisan bill (House Bill 662) that would expand insurance to all adults under 133 percent FPL that is currently under consideration in the legislature. While the proposal includes elements that will negatively impact enrollment (premiums and work requirements), it has the potential to provide currently unavailable health care options for women of childbearing age at high risk of experiencing fetal or infant mortality.

“Whether it’s ‘Carolina Cares’ or a different bill, the legislature should act quickly to close the health insurance coverage gap and support healthy pregnancies and healthy babies,” said Tucker.

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About NC Child

NC Child builds a strong North Carolina by advancing public policies to ensure all children – regardless of race, ethnicity, or place of birth – have the opportunity to achieve their full potential. Visit http://www.ncchild.org for more information.

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** LISTEN TO FREELON’S MLK KEYNOTE WHERE HE CALLS FOR CHARGES TO BE DROPPED!
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This Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Freelon delivered a keynote address to Durham city and county employees. During the talk, he called for charges against those accused of toppling Durham’s confederate monument to be dropped, and instead, for them be given a key to the city.

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** ALL. CHARGES. DROPPED.
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TODAY, all charges against the people who toppled
Durham’s Confederate monument have been dropped.

TODAY, we celebrate the courageous legacies of Harriet Tubman,
Pauli Murray, Bree Newsome, Takiyah Thompson and other black women who risked their lives and freedom to challenge white supremacy.

TODAY, my ancestors are rejoicing because justice has been served.

TODAY, the prophetic words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ring true:
“The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations
of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.”

TOMORROW, Durham will continue to quake. They will feel it in Raleigh. They will feel it throughout the south. They will feel it in Washington.

TOMORROW, organizers and artists will be emboldened to continue to challenge the status quo, and be change agents in their communities.

TOMORROW, there is much work to be done to address growing
disparities in the city of Durham.

TOMORROW, I look forward to a bright day, now that a grey
cloud can no longer cast its shadow over my home.

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** POETRY & MUSIC
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** IN-Q
The Wrong Side of History Gun Violence… It’s Time to Talk About It

Watch a thought provoking film and participate in a lively discussion/critique/analysis on “The State of the Workers/Oppressed & Our Struggles in the Current Political Climate/Why we must unite the isolated/fragmented battle fronts?” Potluck Dinner provided.

If you love reading – suspense, mystery, historical fiction, nonfiction, science fiction, health/mind/fitness, poetry with a focus on African American and other writers of color; you are invited to come out. This month we will be completing the discussion about the book: At the Dark End of the Street – Black Women, Rape and Resistance – A New History of the Civil Rights Movement from Rosa Parks to the Rise of Black Power by author Danielle L. McGuire; For more information contact: Nathanette at 919-876-7187 or nlmayo5@yahoo.com.